11 December 2025

An entrepreneur and 1000 paper cranes: Meet business customer, Emma Saunders

3 min read

Long-term Suncorp Bank customer, Emma Saunders is the small business owner of Goondiwindi’s local creative hub – a florist, gift shop, and hairdressers.

And if being an entrepreneur and business owner doesn’t keep Emma busy enough, she has also established a Paper Crane project, designed to support those impacted by cancer in the Darling Downs region.

Emma explained: “Many years ago I read the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coeer, and the story of hope, healing and resilience stayed with me.”

Inspired by the Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Emma is creating and selling 1,000 hand-painted, unique paper cranes, each of which carry a message of strength and hope.

For each paper crane artwork sold, Emma will donate half the proceeds to Hope Horizons, a not-for-profit organisation committed to diminishing the impacts of cancer.

“I’ve lost loved ones to cancer, walked alongside friends in their battles, and seen the impact it has on families across our community,” Emma said. 

Cheryl Brownlie, Suncorp Bank Relationship Manager explained that Emma’s efforts are an incredible example of a small business owner giving back to the community.

Image above: Cheryl Brownlie, Emma Saunders and Georgia Hunt.

 

 

You can view and purchase Emma Saunders’ paper cranes here: * Emma Saunders Art

“I'm so privledged to talk to customers like Emma, every single day."

 

"Whether it's helping customers manage their accounts, expand their business, or in Emma's case, give back to the community, Suncorp Bank is proud to support our customers in every way that we can."

 

 

CHERYL BROWNLIE, RELATIONSHIP MANAGER